Scripture:
Philippians 2:1-18 NKJV
[1] Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, [2] fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. [3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; [13] for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. [14] Do all things without complaining and disputing, [15] that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. [17] Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. [18] For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Observation:
It’s been about a week since I have been able to write. The change in my schedule has really made a difference in my life. The ability to adjust to change like that has never really been a strong suit for me but it’s something that I am learning to overcome. As I was praying over what to write about and searching the scripture. These verses hit me. Philippians is a very short letter from Paul to a church in Philippi, located in Macedonia which is now known as modern-day Greece. It was written from a prison cell, as Paul seemingly awaited execution for spreading the gospel. That letter was in a sense written to strengthen their faith, and thank the church for the help they provided along the way. I have often been told that whenever you see a “therefore” in the bible you should take the time to find out what it’s there for. Therefore I would encourage you to take the time to read the entire letter that Paul wrote to this church. Even as a slow reader it will only take less than 15 minutes and I’m sure you will not be disappointed. In the verses we are looking at this morning, the subtitle that I found in my Bible says, “Unity Through Humility.” Paul’s desire was to bring the church together. Through the fellowship that we have in the Holy Spirit, and being in the same mindset. If you take the time to read and study just the letters that he wrote. You will see that his guidance for the church is always geared towards unity in the body of Christ. Saying things like we all have a different purpose in the same body. Some are hands, some are feet, some are ears and some mouths, but we are all in this together. I love the statement that he makes in verse 3, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better then himself.” This is said so that we get a proper understanding of what a life lived for Christ really looks like. What Paul is saying is empty yourself of you. What you want is not important. Think of others as well as yourself. As HE continues the thought through verse 4 bringing everything in to the picture of what he is saying. If we look back to the scripture, if your bible is anything like mine you can see another subtitle there that says, “The Humbled and Exalted Christ.” As Paul continues to teach the church that its not all about us he brings his focus to the one who its really about. A man who stepped out of a glorious position next to GOD the Father to walk the earth as a man, even though HE and GOD are equal, HE set that aside to be a bondservant. Taking on a position of service to the Father. Just to break down the word bondservant and better explain what is being said. Jesus Christ, the very SON of GOD stepped out of heaven and all its glory to serve HIS Father in whatever the Father saw fit, HE chose to be a servant. That’s what the word bondservant means. HE lowered HIMSELF, even though HE was equal with GOD, HE took a backseat to what HE wanted, and became obedient to what GOD wanted even unto death on a cross. I want us to keep in mind where Paul is when he is writing this letter, and what he is doing. Sitting in a Roman cell awaiting his execution. Paul is imitating Christ; he is laying his life down for the gospel. Just like Christ did. Maybe not on a cross but being obedient unto death none the less. Now I know that a large portion of those who follow Jesus will not have to give their physical life for their faith. But what if that were the requirement. Just a thought. What we do know through the reading and studying of scripture is that everyone of the disciples died for what they believed. Some of them died very brutal deaths. Because of the obedience of Christ unto death HE was given the name above every name. Now as you know names are very important in the bible, so I looked up the name Jesus just to better understand my SAVIOR and that’s exactly what the name means. One who saves. No one else can do that but the very SON of GOD. The one whom we are supposed to imitate. Paul says be imitators of me as I imitate Christ. Awaiting his own execution for the faith he proclaimed, Paul’s plea for the church was that they became obedient not only in his presence but in his absence as well. He knew in his spirit that this was the end of the road, and his willingness to imitate Christ was on display through this letter. Setting himself aside being poured out as a drink offering. His desire was that the church not be sad but rejoice in what was about to happen. As he willingly gave his life to further the gospel.
Application:
Once we come to know Christ, our life is not about us. It becomes about making HIM known. That may mean we have to do things we don’t want to do, for the benefit of others. It’s not an easy task to set down the things we want for the benefit of others. It goes against everything that society teaches. In fact what the world would teach is that you have to look out for yourself because no one else is going to. But what would happen if we took a back seat to ourselves and became imitators of Christ. What would the world be like if we stopped chasing the blessings and became a blessing instead. This life is simply not about us, it’s not about what we have done or what we are going to do. It’s about what HE has done and what HE is going to do. Setting ourselves aside and following HIM is what HE has asked us to do. We can’t do that if we are not willing to “GO” and honestly I’m not talking about going to church. Although that is where we begin to get equipped, that’s not the end, it’s the beginning. Don’t get me wrong, I love my church. There are a lot of amazing people there. But it’s not the end of it. That’s where it all starts. Over the last few years I feel GOD calling me to more. A continued dying to self and making others more important. A chasing after the lost sheep. A kicking down of the gates to let others know the love HE has for them. Putting myself aside for the sake of the gospel. Our lives are not our own, HE gave HIS life as a ransom. For me I want less chasing after me and the comfort of this world and more chasing after what HE would have for me. My comfort and life are not what is important. Knowing that the true gospel has been presented is. The gospel that says, HE laid down HIS life so that you could lay down your for the sake of others. But what does that mean?? Do you have to die for your faith?? To be completely honest it may come to that. But what it means is let’s do for others what they can not do for themselves, so that they will learn how to do for themselves. Jesus Christ loved others so much that HE became obedient to the point of death on a cross. Let nothing be done out of selfish ambition. In other words, empty yourself of you. I want less of me and more of HIM.
Prayer:
Father, we know that your plan for us is way better than anything we could ever dream up. As we are left in this world until you call us home, help us to set ourselves aside. Our wants, our needs, our desires, and focus on what you would have for us. We want to be selfless. As we go through our days from this point forward. Help us to see your will for us and willingly step forward into it. You are the reason we live and breathe. Without you life stops. Empty us of ourselves so that we would see others as more important than ourselves. We could not even communicate with you if it were not for the way that you made out of love for us. You gave us your one and only SON as a sacrifice for our selfish self-centeredness. Let us learn how to put that down and chase after what you would have us do. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.